The popular phrase, “When life throws lemons at you, make lemonade,” accurately captures Azeezat Olayinka Olatunji’s remarkable transition from an aspiring medical doctor to a successful full-time farmer.
Apart from owning a flourishing farm in her native Oyo State, she oversees a large agricultural enterprise, including a banana plantation of about nine acres, in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory.
Raised by parents and grandparents who were proud farmers, young Azeezat said she often protested anytime her father summoned her to follow him to the farm. Not only did she despise farming at the time, but she also could not see any compelling correlation between her dream career—medicine—and farming. Little did she know that the farming she once despised would eventually become her greatest passion.
She said that when she applied for admission to study medicine at the university, the institution offered her Animal Production, which she rejected. However, with her father’s persuasion, she recalled that she grudgingly accepted the offer out of deference to him.
Today, 34-year-old Azeezat is a graduate of an agriculture course and a passionate farmer—a venture she cherishes above all else.
Meanwhile, despite a degree in Animal Production, Azeezat refused to confine herself to the realm of animals; she decided to explore other aspects of agribusiness, like horticulture. Thus, she applied to participate in the horticulture training for young people organized by the IITA YAS project, with support from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Nigeria.
The intensive training enriched her knowledge and positioned her for her current role, where she oversees a large banana farm in Abuja.
She stated, “When I wanted to apply for my present job, it was through the YAS training certificate. During the interview, they asked me why I wanted to work with them since I studied animal science. I said that even though I studied animal science, I got a certificate in horticultural training from the
YAS project of IITA. They were impressed, knowing that IITA is a renowned organization with a good reputation. The certificate really helped me.”
“The impact of this training was self-employment, and the certificate has boosted my profile,” she added.
Under her leadership, the farm secured a four-year lucrative contract to supply one million banana suckers to the Niger State Government, a task she described as exciting. “Preparing one million seedlings is not an easy task, but it’s a challenge I’m excited about, and we are meeting our targets.”
Azeezat, who supervises seven youths employed by the farm, advocates for young people not to endure unemployment or underemployment when opportunities like the YAS training exist, where they are trained and supported to flourish in agribusiness.
Contributed by Babatunde Ajaja